Battle of Monte Santiago
Encyclopedia
The naval Battle of Monte Santiago was an important naval encounter during the Argentina-Brazil War
(1825-1828).
While many of them were inconclusive, this battle proved to be a major loss for the Argentine Navy
, and an important strategic victory for the Brazilian Navy
. Despite the inequality of forces (the Brazilian fleet was four times bigger), the Imperial Navy lost twice as many ships as the Argentine Navy. The battle is hightlighted by Argentine historians as one of the most courageous and ferocious naval encounters in its history . On that day, Sgt. Mayor Francis Drummond (engaged to Admiral Brown
's daughter Elisa) died heroically on deck, firing his marooned ship's cannons instead of retreating. As a result of the battle, the Navy of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata had to face very important losses and the Empire of Brazil consolidated Naval supremacy.
of Brazil counted with high seas vessels, with more fire power but lesser speed, the Argentine Navy relied on fast maneuvering ships. Some Argentine commanders believed that the lack of maneuvering of the Imperial vessels in shallow waters and the speed of their own ships could decide some engagements in their favour.
The Argentine commander was confident that, by using the surprise element, the superior maneuvering of his ships could inflict damage to the enemy and that he could escape before the Imperial fleet was able to coordinate an effective counterattack.
Unfortunately for him, he was unaware of the enemy's initial three-to-one advantage in terms of ships on the first day of battle (which escaled into a four-to-one advantage by the second day). Brown also underestimated the Brazilian vessels' capacity to cut off any route of escaping in time. As a result, the battle was a two-day pouring of shells onto his men.
At the second day, the Brazilian vessel ´´Paula´´ opened fire at the brigantine ´´Independencia´´. The ´´Independencia´´ (that had lesser firepower) lost it´s masts, and to prevent the ship from sunking, twelve cannons were thrown overboard. As a consequence Francis Drummond, its Captain, was wounded by a sliver that cut his ear.
At 4 pm Drummond didn´t had any more powder left, and had already fired his supply of three thousand rounds. Drummond managed to use anchor chains as amunition. By then he ordered to abandon ship, but the crew fiercely refused his command. Then Drummond, in order to resupply amunition, sailed in a lifeboat to the flagship ´´Republica´´. At that moment he was hit by 24 lbs cannonball that destroyed his pelvis and right leg and died.
The losses in this battle, along with the loss of the 25 de Mayo (Argentine major vessel) in the battle of Punta Lara-Quilmes (June 29-30, 1826), resulted in the dominance of the Brazilian Navy
over the River Plate. Nevertheless, the heavy losses sustained by the Brazilians during these battles discouraged them to escale the naval war into the interior rivers of Argentina or to attempt a direct attack against Buenos Aires
. However the Navy of the Provincias Unidas was almost fully destroyed and Brazil achieved Naval supremacy . As a result of the Battle of Monte Santiago, only skirmishes by corsaries could be undertaken by the Provincias Unidas since they were no longer able to deal at high seas with medium and large sized ships of the Brazilian Navy. Montevideo and Colonia, the two largest cities in the Banda Oriental, were still under control by the Empire of Brazil.
This situation would continue until the Preliminary Peace Convention, by which Oriental Province became the independent Western State of Uruguay.
Argentina-Brazil War
The Cisplatine War or the Argentine–Brazilian War was an armed conflict over an area known as Banda Oriental or "Eastern Shore" in the 1820s between the United Provinces of River Plate and the Empire of Brazil in the aftermath of the United Provinces' emancipation from Spain.-Background:Led by...
(1825-1828).
While many of them were inconclusive, this battle proved to be a major loss for the Argentine Navy
Argentine Navy
The Navy of the Argentine Republic or Armada of the Argentine Republic is the navy of Argentina. It is one of the three branches of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic, together with the Army and the Air Force....
, and an important strategic victory for the Brazilian Navy
Brazilian Navy
The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
. Despite the inequality of forces (the Brazilian fleet was four times bigger), the Imperial Navy lost twice as many ships as the Argentine Navy. The battle is hightlighted by Argentine historians as one of the most courageous and ferocious naval encounters in its history . On that day, Sgt. Mayor Francis Drummond (engaged to Admiral Brown
William Brown (admiral)
Admiral William Brown was an Irish-born Argentine Admiral. Brown's victories in the Independence War, the Argentina-Brazil War, and the Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata earned the respect and appreciation of the Argentine people, and today he is regarded as one of Argentina's national...
's daughter Elisa) died heroically on deck, firing his marooned ship's cannons instead of retreating. As a result of the battle, the Navy of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata had to face very important losses and the Empire of Brazil consolidated Naval supremacy.
The Battle
While the Imperial NavyImperial Navy
The phrase Imperial Navy may refer to:*The Austro-Hungarian Navy*The German Navy between 1872 and 1918*The Imperial Japanese Navy from 1869 until 1947*The Imperial Navy of Imperial Qing government*The Imperial Navy from the fictional Star Wars universe....
of Brazil counted with high seas vessels, with more fire power but lesser speed, the Argentine Navy relied on fast maneuvering ships. Some Argentine commanders believed that the lack of maneuvering of the Imperial vessels in shallow waters and the speed of their own ships could decide some engagements in their favour.
The Argentine commander was confident that, by using the surprise element, the superior maneuvering of his ships could inflict damage to the enemy and that he could escape before the Imperial fleet was able to coordinate an effective counterattack.
Unfortunately for him, he was unaware of the enemy's initial three-to-one advantage in terms of ships on the first day of battle (which escaled into a four-to-one advantage by the second day). Brown also underestimated the Brazilian vessels' capacity to cut off any route of escaping in time. As a result, the battle was a two-day pouring of shells onto his men.
At the second day, the Brazilian vessel ´´Paula´´ opened fire at the brigantine ´´Independencia´´. The ´´Independencia´´ (that had lesser firepower) lost it´s masts, and to prevent the ship from sunking, twelve cannons were thrown overboard. As a consequence Francis Drummond, its Captain, was wounded by a sliver that cut his ear.
At 4 pm Drummond didn´t had any more powder left, and had already fired his supply of three thousand rounds. Drummond managed to use anchor chains as amunition. By then he ordered to abandon ship, but the crew fiercely refused his command. Then Drummond, in order to resupply amunition, sailed in a lifeboat to the flagship ´´Republica´´. At that moment he was hit by 24 lbs cannonball that destroyed his pelvis and right leg and died.
The losses in this battle, along with the loss of the 25 de Mayo (Argentine major vessel) in the battle of Punta Lara-Quilmes (June 29-30, 1826), resulted in the dominance of the Brazilian Navy
Brazilian Navy
The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
over the River Plate. Nevertheless, the heavy losses sustained by the Brazilians during these battles discouraged them to escale the naval war into the interior rivers of Argentina or to attempt a direct attack against Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
. However the Navy of the Provincias Unidas was almost fully destroyed and Brazil achieved Naval supremacy . As a result of the Battle of Monte Santiago, only skirmishes by corsaries could be undertaken by the Provincias Unidas since they were no longer able to deal at high seas with medium and large sized ships of the Brazilian Navy. Montevideo and Colonia, the two largest cities in the Banda Oriental, were still under control by the Empire of Brazil.
This situation would continue until the Preliminary Peace Convention, by which Oriental Province became the independent Western State of Uruguay.